Artistic display support for disc and disc-like forms

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to a disc support device that has a V-shaped base and an elongated tier. The V-shaped base has a first side and a second side and a pair of disc receiving notches on the first side for receiving an edge of a disc. The elongated tier has a first end and a second end. A hinge is provided for connecting the second side of the base to the first end of the elongated tier so that the base may pivot from a planar orientation relative to the tier to a right angle relative to the elongated tier. A removable peg extends upward from the second end of the elongated tier when the base and the elongated tier are in a planar orientation relative to each other.

This application is based on and claims priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/596,846 filed Oct. 25, 2005.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a support for displaying discs and disc-like forms such as plates and bowls. The support permits a disc to be shown standing up-right on an outer edge of the disc. The support permits such a disc display to be made on a horizontal surface or on mounted on a wall.

2. Brief Description of Related Art

Disc supports have been used for displaying an ornamental nature or design of a plate or bowl. The most common disc supports on the market are typically a bi-fold support with a hinge between two upright J-shaped sections. The elongated part of the “J” supports the back of the disc while the hook portion of the “J” supports the bottom of a disc.

Another support on the market has a stable horizontal base with an integral upright back piece protruding vertically upwards from the base. The disc is supported in this device in the same manner as described in the bi-fold “J” support.

Although both types of disc supports are effect for supporting discs on a flat surface, neither can be converted to supporting the same disc on a wall.

Therefore, what is needed is a support that can support a disc on a flat surface and also be easily converted for mounting and supporting a disc wall surface.

An object of the present invention is to provide a support that can be mounted on a flat surface or a wall surface.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a disc support device that has a V-shaped base and an elongated tier. The V-shaped base has a first side and a second side and a pair of disc receiving notches on the first side for receiving an edge of a disc. The elongated tier has a first end and a second end. A hinge is provided for connecting the second side of the base to the first end of the elongated tier so that the base may pivot from a planar orientation relative to the tier to a right angle to the tier. A removable peg extends vertically upward from the second end of the elongated tier when the base and the elongated tier are in a planar orientation relative to each other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIGS. 1 a and 1 b are overhead views of the support device in the planar position;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the support device in a wall mounting position, wherein the base is at a right angle to the elongated tier; and

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the support device in the planar position showing the peg protruding upward from the support device for supporting the back of a disc.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is described with reference to the figures. FIGS. 1 a and 1 b show an overhead view of the disc support device. FIG. 2 shows a side view of the disc support in a right angle position. With reference to the figures, the disc support device 1 has a V-shaped base 2, an elongated tier 3, a vertical or upward slanting peg 5 and a hinge A. The V-shaped base 2 has a first side 11 and a second side 12. The first side 11 is made of dual or plural arms 16. Each arm defines a notch 4. The notches 4 oppose each other for receiving an outer edge of a disc.

In a preferred embodiment, the second side 12 of the base 2 has dual extensions 8. Each of the dual extensions defines a drill passage 17 for receiving a rod 6.

The elongated tier 3 has a first end 13 and a second end 14. The first end 13 of the tier 3 is connected to the V-shaped base 2 by a hinge A. The hinge A permits the base and the tier to orient in a planar position relative to each other (See FIGS. 1 a and 1 b) or permits the base and the tier to orient in a right angle position relative to each other (See FIG. 2). The hinge permits pivoting or the changing of position of the base relative to the elongated tier. As shown in FIGS. 1 a and 1 b, the hinge A includes the fingers 7, dual extensions 8, drill passage 17 and rod 6. The hinge may be any of a number of different types of hinges with the proviso that the hinge permit the elongated tier and V-shaped base to pivot from the planar position to a right angle relative to each other. It is possible with other types of hinges than those shown in FIGS. 1 a and 1 b, the fingers 7 and dual extensions 8 are not present.

In a preferred embodiment, the first end 13 of the tier 3 has a finger 7 protruding therefrom. The finger is complimentary in size and shape to be received between the dual extensions 8 of the base 2. The finger 7 has a drill passage 17 similar to the drill passage in the dual extensions 8. A rod 6 that is substantially linear is treaded through an extension 8, then through the finger 7 and then through the second extension 8 to securely connect the base 2 to the tier 3. The rod can be removable or non-removable. The dual extensions 8, finger 7 and rod 6 operate as a hinge A. Optionally, the dual extensions may be on the first end 13 of the tier 3 and the finger may be a part of the second side 12 of the base 2.

Optionally, the rod 6 has one or more stops 10 to prevent the rod from falling out of the drill passages 17. The stops may be wire, wood, metal, a screw or any other means of securing the rod. he stops are either integral or removable. At least one end of the rod has a removable stop in the case where the rod has stops so that the rod may be removed from the support.

The elongated tier defines a peg receiving recess 15 at the middle or at a second end 14 thereof. There may be more than one peg receiving recess along the length of the elongated tier for adjusting the peg position. The peg receiving recess 15 receives a peg 5. The peg extends vertically upwards from the tier when placed in the recess 15. The peg 5 may also lean slightly forward or backward depending on the shape and size of the disc. The peg 5 is removable. The peg 5 has a length of 0.5-16 inches. The length of the peg 5 can be greater or less to accommodate differing size discs.

The peg 5 is inserted in the recess 15 when the support 1 is in a planar orientation as shown in FIGS. 1 a and 1 b. The peg 5 supports a back side of a disc. The peg 5 is removed when the support 1 is in a right angle orientation as shown in FIG. 2.

Optionally, the support may comprise a plurality of elongated tiers that are interchangeable with the V-shaped base. Each of the plurality of elongated tiers have different lengths. Different sizes of elongated tiers can be used depending on the different sizes of discs that are to be supported.

The elongated tier has a mounting means (not shown) for mounting the support device to a wall when in the right angle orientation. The mounting means may be a bracket affixed on a back side 9 of the tier 3. The mounting means may also be a drill hole through the tier wherein a nail or a screw can be inserted and driven into a wall to affix the support 1 to a wall. Any other suitable mounting means may be applied to the support to affix the support to a wall.

The disc support may be made of one or more materials selected from wood, plastic, metal, glass and stone. Other hard and strong materials may be substituted as long as they have sufficient strength to hold a disc without breaking. Hand carved wood is preferred for its esthetic value.

When the disc support is in a planar orientation, it has a distance between the first side of the base and the second end of the tier (C) of about 3-14 inches. When the support is in an orientation where the base is at a right angle to the tier, the support has a height defined by the distance between the first end and the second end of the tier (D) of 3-14 inches. The first end of the tier includes the length of the finger 7 in a preferred embodiment. The distance (B) of the base 2 is from 3-14 inches. Smaller or larger sizes for the various measurements B, C, and D for the support device are also contemplated to accommodate different shapes and sizes of discs.

In another embodiment of the invention, the V-shaped base 2 and elongated tier 3 are integral with each other and a single planar orientation is possible. In this embodiment, a V-shaped base has a pair of disc receiving notches on a first open side of the V for receiving an edge of a disc; an elongated tier extending from the base from a pointed side of the base and being integral with the base, the elongated tier having a second end. A peg extends vertically upward from the elongated tier to support the back of a disc.

Having generally described this invention, a further understanding can be obtained by reference to certain specific examples which are provided herein for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to be limiting unless otherwise specified.

EXAMPLES

The following examples show how the device is used in the different orientations.

Example 1 Mounting a Disc on the Support Device on a Flat Surface

The base and the tier are placed in a planar orientation relative to each other. A peg is inserted vertically into the tier. A disc is placed on the device with an outer edge of the disc being received by the notches in the base and a back surface of the disc is supported by the peg.

Example 2 Mounting a Disc on the Support Device on a Wall Surface

The base and the tier are placed in a right angle orientation relative to each other. The peg is removed from the tier. The support device is then mounted against a wall. A disc is placed on the device with an outer edge of the disc being received by the notches in the base and a back surface of the disc is supported by the tier.

Having now fully described the invention, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many changes and modifications can be made thereto without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as set for the herein. 

1. A disc support device comprising: a V-shaped base having a first side and a second side and a pair of disc receiving notches on said first side for receiving an edge of a disc; an elongated tier, said elongated tier comprising a first end and a second end; a hinge, said hinge connecting said second side of said base to said first end of said elongated tier so that said base may change from a planar orientation relative to said tier to a right angle orientation relative to said elongated tier; and a removable peg for extending vertically upward from said second end of said elongated tier when said base and said elongated tier are in a planar orientation relative to each other.
 2. The disc support of claim 1, wherein said elongated tier has a means for mounting said device to a wall surface.
 3. The disc support of claim 1, wherein said first side of said V-shaped device comprises plural arms and wherein said notches are integral with said plural arms.
 4. The disc support of claim 1, wherein the V-shaped base and said elongated tier are joined together by said hinge and wherein said hinge comprises a removable straight rod threaded through an extension of the second side of said base and a finger of said first end of said tier.
 5. The disc support of claim 1 made of one or more materials selected from the group consisting of wood, plastic, metal, glass and stone.
 6. The disc support of claim 1, wherein said peg has a length of 0.5-16 inches.
 7. The disc support of claim 1, wherein when said support is in a planar orientation, it has a distance between said first side of said base and said second end of said tier of 3-14 inches.
 8. The disc support of claim 1, wherein said when said support is in an orientation of said base at a right angle to said tier, said support has a height defined by the distance between said first end and said second end of 3-14 inches.
 9. The support of claim 5, wherein said wood is hand-carved wood.
 10. A disc support device comprising: a V-shaped base having a first side and a second side, said first side comprising dual arms of said V-shaped base, wherein each arm has opposing notches therein for receiving an edge of a disc, said base further comprising a second side, said second side comprising dual extensions defining a notch there between and each extension defining a drill passage there through; an elongated tier, said elongated tier comprising a first end and a second end; said first end comprising a finger complementary in shape and size to fit into said notch of said second side of said base, said finger further defining a drill passage there through, said elongated tier further comprising a second end, said second end defining a peg receiving hole; an elongated linear rod, said rod having a diameter less than the drill passages in said extensions and said finger; said rod passing through said drill passages of said dual extensions and said finger to connect said base to said tier in a planar position for supporting a disc on a flat surface or connecting said base to said tier at a right angle for supporting a disc on a wall surface; and a removable peg for extending upward from said second end of said elongated tier when said base and said elongated tier are in a planar orientation relative to each other.
 11. The disc support of claim 10, wherein said elongated rod has stops at opposite ends of said rod to prevent said rod from falling out of said drill passages.
 12. The disc support of claim 10, wherein said base has said finger and said elongated tier has said dual extensions.
 13. The disc support of claim 10, wherein said tier has a mounting means for mounting said support to a wall.
 14. A method of mounting a disc on a flat surface with the support device of claim 1 comprising: a. placing said base and said elongated tier in the planar orientation relative to each other; b. inserting said peg into said elongated tier so that said peg extends upward; and c. placing a disc on said device wherein an outer edge of said disc is received by said notches in said base and a back surface of said disc is supported by said peg.
 15. A method of mounting a disc on a wall surface with the support device of claim 1 comprising: a. placing said base and said elongated tier in the right angle orientation relative to each other; b. removing said peg from said elongated tier; c. mounting said device to a wall; and d. placing a disc on said device wherein an outer edge of said disc is received by said notches in said base and a back surface of said disc is supported by said elongated tier.
 16. A disc support device comprising: a V-shaped base having a pair of disc receiving opposing notches on a first open side of said V for receiving an edge of a disc; an elongated tier extending from a pointed side of said V-shaped base and being integral with said base; and a peg extending vertically upward from said elongated tier.
 17. The disc support device of claim 16, wherein said peg is removable and further comprising a plurality of peg receiving recesses defined by said elongated tier for positioning said peg at different locations along said elongated tier to accommodate different sizes of discs. 